Denver to join prestigious group of large maker festivals around the world, serving as a new hub for maker movement

October 14 & 15, 2017 at the Denver Mart

Denver, CO (April 5, 2017) – The Colorado Maker Hub, a non-profit organization committed to celebrating the Maker Movement by connecting and educating Colorado makers, announced today that Denver has been selected to host the first Feature Maker Faire in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding states on October 14-15, 2017, at the Denver Mart. More than 150 cities around the world currently participate in Mini Faires to promote the Maker Movement, and Denver will join the esteemed group of 20 cities to host a Feature Faire such as Paris, Rome, Tokyo and Atlanta.

Maker Faire Denver is an all-ages festival that inspires, educates and entertains, propelling ideas into reality and passing curiosities into amazing creations. Makers come from all over the U.S. to share their cutting-edge inventions and artistry, as well as teach their craft to attendees—from woodworking to robotics. Colorado has hosted seven Mini Maker Faires since 2013, with as many as 4,000 attendees and 148 makers.

“At Maker Faire Denver, visitors have the chance to glimpse into the future, get hands-on in the creation process and leave with a renewed excitement for what’s possible,” explains Elise VanDyne, Executive Director of the Colorado Maker Hub. “Maker Faire inspires young and old alike to catch that spark of wonder, to mix it with tools, technology, and techniques to bring that inspiration to life.”

The graduation to a feature event means more awe-inspiring exhibits from makers around the country. The 2017 Maker Faire Denver aims to further accelerate the Maker Movement in this part of the U.S. and will feature hundreds of exhibitors, hands-on workshops and presentations with the sort of crazy twists one can only expect from a Maker Faire:

Engineering a Strandbeest

Mad Scientists

Music Makers for a sound petting zoo

Community arts and interactive projects

Inventing tools, woodcrafting, metalsmithing

Wearable tech, recycled fashion and textiles

Social Impact Inventions

And including other Faire favorites such as the Human Foosball table, Pokey the Fire Breathing Dragon, and the NerdyDerby.

Lead sponsors for the event include Sparkfun, Denver Office of Economic Development and Epilog Laser. The Colorado Maker Hub independently produces the Maker Faire Denver in collaboration with Maker Media.

“In JumpStart 2017, our annual strategic plan for economic development in Denver, the Office of Economic Development (OED) is intentional about supporting makers spaces—collaborative work spaces open to entrepreneurs of all ages who want to explore advanced digital design and manufacturing technologies. The Maker’s Faire in Denver this fall is a perfect example of bringing creative makers and innovators together,” said Turid Nagel-Casebolt, OED director of Business Development.

Want to participate in Maker Faire Denver? We are a scrappy and fun team of makers, volunteers, and much appreciated sponsors that make it all happen. Find your tribe and come join us! Check it out and Sign up here:

Denver, CO (September 18, 2017) – Meow Wolf, the wildly popular Santa Fe based arts collective, has announced their sponsorship of local Denver artists at Maker Faire Denver, October 14 & 15. Maker Faire Denver is an all-ages festival that inspires, educates and entertains, propelling ideas into reality and curiosities into amazing creations. Makers come from across the US, and even the UK, to share their cutting-edge inventions and artistry, as well as teach their craft to attendees, with hands-on activities in arts, technology, and fabrication of all kinds.

“At Maker Faire Denver, visitors have the chance to glimpse into the future, get hands-on in the creative process and leave with a renewed excitement for what’s possible,” explains Elise VanDyne, Executive Director of the Faire’s non-profit producer, Colorado Maker Hub. “Like Maker Faire, Meow Wolf’s installations inspire young and old alike to catch a spark of wonder, then mix in tools, technology, and techniques to bring that inspiration to life. We are so grateful to Meow Wolf’s commitment to bringing resources and spotlight for local artists.”

Foundry Performances by the CU-Denver Sculpture Program: Artist Rian Kerrane and CU-Denver student artists will conduct a series of live bronze and aluminum pours into ceramic shell and open face sand molds. This is metalwork like you’ve never seen it!

Ladies Fancywork Society (LFS): The Ladies Fancywork Society has been terrorizing your neighborhood with their garish yarn crimes since 2007. What began as a group of crochet-loving friends just chillin’ out maxin’ relaxin’ has transformed into a diabolic art hydra capable of putting together large-scale projects, international art shows, and installations – one of which will be shared at Maker Faire Denver. These ladies will also be providing a hands-on activity for attendees to create alongside them!

Community Mural Wall: Denver artists are creating a black and white wall mural that invites Faire participants to pick up a paint brush and finish the creation with color. This interactive community art event will bring out the Picasso in us all!

Plus over 120 exciting exhibitors at Maker Faire Denver: The 3rd largest Combat Bot competition in the US, A Fashion Hackers Showcase, Build your Own Drone Workshop, Nerdy Derby and makers of all kinds with hands-on activities and sights to amaze and inspire you around every corner!

This Festival for the Curious is October 14 & 15 from 10am to 5pm at the Denver Mart. Directions, tickets, maker profiles, and answers to all your FAQs are available at Denver.makerfaire.com

About Meow Wolf : a Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment group that creates immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The Meow Wolf Art Complex showcases the collective’s first permanent installation, the THEA Award-winning House Of Eternal Return, where guests discover a multidimensional mystery house with secret passages, portals to magical worlds, climbing apparatus, and surreal, maximalist & mesmerizing art exhibits along with a children’s learning center and cafe area. The complex is also home to a music venue, bar, and outdoor dining scene featuring top food trucks. https://meowwolf.com/ Contact John@meowwolf.com |John Feins | Meow Wolf Director of Marketing | 505.603.MEOWAbout Maker Faire Denver: Independently produced by Colorado Maker Hub in collaboration with Maker Media. An offshoot of the celebrated Maker Faire (www.makerfaire.com) created in the SF Bay area that draws over 100,000 annually from all around the world for “The Greatest Show and Tell on Earth!” The Denver Maker faire is a project of the Colorado Maker Hub, an educational non-profit with a mission to foster maker innovation and to create a thriving, sustainable future by advancing and connecting Colorado makers – a vibrant community of tinkerers, tech enthusiasts, artists, educators, youth makers, hobbyists, science clubs, students, and entrepreneurs. More at www.coloradomakerhub.orgMilestones Press Release #3